Recently, the spot market price of U.S. hot rolled steel plummeted to $400 per ton. Just one year ago, this same ton of steel cost $700. According to Metals Monitor, the drop in price was due to falling oil prices, along with a rise in cheap imports and excess capacity. These dramatic market changes have greatly impacted the supply of raw steel. Suppose that last year the supply for raw steel was QSraw = 600 + 4P, but this year it has shifted to QSraw= 4,200 + 4P. Assuming the market for raw steel is competitive and that the current worldwide demand for steel isQdraw = 9,000 – 8P, compute the equilibrium price and quantity for the steel market one year ago, and the equilibrium price–quantity combination for the current steel mar ket. Suppose the cost function of a representative steel producer is C(Q) = 1,200 + 15Q2. Compare the change in the quantity of raw steel exchanged at the market level with the change in raw steel produced by a representative firm. How do you explain this difference ?
Recently, the spot market
QSraw= 4,200 + 4P. Assuming the market for raw steel is competitive and that the current worldwide demand for steel isQdraw = 9,000 – 8P, compute the
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